Grace Tame’s vile sexual abuser Nicolaas Ockter Bester suffers a ‘medical episode’, Hobart court
Grace Tame holds her boyfriend as she arrives at court to confront her abuser – before the pedophile teacher has his trial delayed due to medical issues
- Nicolaas Ockter Bester has postponed the case
- Grace Tame in court to meet former teacher
- The case was adjourned until June 22
The man who sexually assaulted former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as a child has postponed his trial over allegations that he harassed her online due to medical issues.
Nicolaas Ockter Bester, 70, is accused of posting public messages on the social media platform Twitter between April and August last year regarding and directed at Ms Tame.
Ms Tame was at Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday to face her alleged bully in court.
Dressed in a tan coat and jeans, she arrived at court holding fiancée Max Heerey’s hand and was flanked in court by other supporters.
Bester previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of using a carriage service to threaten, harass or insult.
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame (left) arrives at Hobart Magistrates Court hand in hand with partner Max Heerey
Bester appeared before Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday, where some sort of preliminary hearing was expected to take place.
His attorney Todd Kovacic told the court that Bester had been going through a medical episode in recent weeks and was unable to give proper instructions.
“(Bester’s) fitness is now an issue,” Kovavic said.
The lawyer did not provide any details to the court about the medical issue. The case was postponed to June 22.
Bester, who did not speak to the media outside of court, was charged by police in October.
Former teacher Nicolaas Bester (pictured) leaves Hobart Magistrates Court after his case was delayed due to medical issues
2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame (left) was in court flanked by her partner Max (right) and other supporters
Former school teacher Bester was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison in 2011 for abusing Ms. Tame when she was at his school, and for possessing child exploitation material.
Ms Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for survivors of abuse.
She was instrumental in a campaign that resulted in law changes in 2020 in her home state of Tasmania, allowing survivors to publicly tell their stories.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Recovery Support Service 1800 211 028
Nicholas Bester’s lawyer, Todd Kovacic (right), told the court that his client had recently had a medical episode and was unable to give proper instructions.